Bret Tuomi as Macduff and Matthew Goodrich as Malcolm plot their revenge in MACBETH (2008). Photo by Peter Ringenberg.
About Twelfth Night
BACKGROUND
Twelfth Night, or What You Will was probably written in 1601 and is Shakespeare’s only play to receive a double title. It is possible that Shakespeare named the play Twelfth Night since another play called What You Will premiered during the writing.
Scholars generally agree that the “Twelfth Night” of the title as a reference to Epiphany, or the twelfth night of the Christmas celebration (January 6). During Shakespeare’s time, Epiphany was a festival day on which everything was turned upside-down; servants often dressed up as their masters, men as women and so forth. This history of festive ritual and Carnivalesque reversal is the cultural origin of the play's confusion.
The only known performance during Shakespeare’s lifetime was for lawyers belonging to the Middle Temple in the Inns of Court, a professional society, on February 2, 1602. The only record of the performance is an entry in the diary of a law student named John Manningham.
As is the case with most Shakespeare plays, the story of Twelfth Night may have come from other sources. It is possible that Shakespeare consulted an Italian play from the 1530s called The Deceived, which features several similar key plot points as Twelfth Night. He also might have used a 1581 English story entitled “Apollonius and Silla” by Barnabe Riche which includes even more similar story elements and characters.
Continuing its tradition of presenting works related to the Mainstage production, the Young Company is producing The Deceived as its traveling outdoor production this season. Please click here to read more about that production and its performance dates, times, and venues.
SYNOPSIS
Viola has been shipwrecked in a violent storm off the coast of Illyria, losing her twin brother, Sebastian. Inspired by devotion to her presumably dead brother, Viola disguises herself as a boy, assumes the name Cesario, and shortly becomes a page in the service of the incurably romantic Duke Orsino.
Orsino is having very little luck courting Olivia, a rich countess, who is in mourning for the death of her father and brother. Viola, in the guise of Cesario, is sent to Olivia with a message of love. Olivia, intrigued by this impudent young "boy", contrives to get "Cesario" to return by sending her fastidious steward, Malvolio, after her with one of Olivia's rings. Viola realizes to her dismay that Olivia has fallen for Cesario, while she herself has fallen for Orsino.
Sebastian, Viola’s twin and presumed dead, comes ashore in Illyria thinking that Viola has drowned in the shipwreck. A devoted sailor named Antonio rescued him and continues to help Sebastian find his way. Antonio assists Sebastian at considerable risk to himself, as Antonio fought against Duke Orsino at one time.
Meanwhile, in Olivia's house, her uncle, Sir Toby Belch, tricks the foolish Sir Andrew Aguecheek out of money by convincing him that he could be a suitor to Olivia. There is also a running feud between Malvolio and Sir Toby that has reached its boiling point. With the help of Maria, Olivia's maid, and Feste, a clown employed by Olivia, they plot to make a buffoon of the high-minded Malvolio. The plan is to have Maria write a love letter to Malvolio that will make him think Olivia has fallen for him. The plan is put into motion, Malvolio is convinced; Olivia is horrified, Sir Toby and his accomplices delighted; and Malvolio is imprisoned as a madman.
Sir Toby eggs Sir Andrew into a duel with "Cesario" so that Sir Andrew might prove his suitability for Olivia. Antonio, the sailor assisting Sebastian, happens upon the increasingly comedic duel between Sir Andrew and Viola/Cesario. Believing Viola to be her twin Sebastian, Antonio intervenes and is arrested by policemen who recognize him from his previous efforts against Duke Orsino.
Later, Sir Toby and Sir Andrew encounter Sebastian, whom they mistake for “Cesario”, and are surprised when Sebastian physically beats Sir Andrew. Olivia intervenes and, mistaking Sebastian for Viola/Cesario, presses him for marriage. A bemused and enchanted Sebastian agrees to marry her.
When Duke Orsino arrives, with Viola/Cesario in tow, and Antonio is questioned about the circumstances of the duel, confusions mount, especially when Olivia enters, searching for her new husband—who she thinks is Viola (as Cesario). Adding to the chaos, Sir Toby and Sir Andrew enter claiming that Viola/Cesario has violently assaulted the hapless suitor.
How will this wonderful knot of mistaken identity and romantic love untie itself? You’ll have to see our production to find out.
We’ll see you at the show!